John Terry’s alleged racist abuse ‘hurtful’, claims Anton Ferdinand

John Terry was surrounded by media as he arrived at Westminster Magistrates’ Court for the start of the trial (Picture: AP)

Mr Terry, 31, is on trial at Westminster Magistrates’ Court accused of making the remarks during Chelsea’s Premier League match against QPR at Loftus Road on October 23 last year – a game which was broadcast to millions of viewers.

The court heard on the first day of the trial that Mr Terry allegedly called Mr Ferdinand a ‘f****** black c***’ – and also used a stream of other obscenities as the pair exchanged insults on the pitch.

Mr Ferdinand, facing cross-examination, told the court that he did not initially realise the tone of Mr Terry’s language – but became convinced he had used the racially abusive slur after his girlfriend played him YouTube footage of the incident.

‘I would have been obviously very hurt and I probably wouldn’t have reacted at the time because, being a professional, you can’t do that,’ he said.

‘I probably would have let the officials know what happened and dealt with it after the game. When someone brings your colour into it, it takes it to another level and it’s very hurtful.’

John Terry could face a £2,500 fine if he is found guilty of the charge (Picture: PA)

Opening the case for the prosecution, Duncan Penny told the court: ‘The Crown alleges that the words he used demonstrated hostility based on Mr Ferdinand’s membership or presumed membership of a racial group.

‘The Crown alleges that the defendant, most probably in response to physical gestures being made by Mr Ferdinand which the defendant understood to refer to the well-publicised allegation of an extra-marital affair with a team-mate’s wife, shouted at Mr Ferdinand,’ he added.

‘The Crown’s case is that the words were abusive and insulting in a straightforward sense. They were uttered by the defendant in response to goading by Mr Ferdinand on the issue of his extra-marital affair, rather than by way of exaggerated and instant querying of a perceived false allegation.’

Mr Terry, wearing a grey suit and pink tie, sat in the dock during the opening proceedings, although was allowed out to view TV clips and previously unbroadcast footage of the alleged incident.

The footballer wore a grey suit and pink tie for his first day in court (Picture: AP)

It is claimed that Mr Ferdinand made allegations about ‘s******g ya mate’s missus’ as well as making fist gestures before Mr Terry’s alleged response.

When quizzed in court by George Carter-Stephenson QC the player admitted he was ‘no stranger’ to being sworn at – and that he had been angry with Mr Terry trying to get a penalty and ‘barging’ into him on the pitch.

He also said he was angry at a gesture Mr Terry made which implied he had bad breath.

The court was also told that fellow Chelsea players Ashley Cole and John Obi Mikel would not be taking the stand during the five-day trial, despite claims that they were nearby when the alleged incident occurred.

Mr Terry had said in a statement to the Football Association that he and Mr Ferdinand were ‘having a ding-dong’ at the time.

The alleged incident took place during a game at Loftus Road last October (Picture: PA)

However he added that he did not find taunts over his alleged affair with Wayne Bridge’s ex-girlfriend offensive, saying: ‘It’s not the first time I’ve heard it’.

The 31-year-old was greeted by members of the media as he arrived at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, although Mr Terry declined to comment on the case.

His lawyer had previously entered a not guilty plea on his behalf at London’s Westminster Magistrates’ Court in February.

The trial was delayed until after Euro 2012 after District Judge Howard Riddle heard that a number of other Chelsea players would not be able to appear as witnesses until the end of the football season.

The delay led to Mr Terry being stripped of the England captaincy and Fabio Capello subsequently quitting as manager of the national team.

Mr Terry, who has denied the allegations, faces a maximum fine of £2,500 if he is convicted – but there is no prospect of a jail sentence.

The case is expected to last for around five days, and will be heard by Judge Riddle alone with no jury.

Among those viewing the case from the public gallery was Doreen Lawrence, mother of murdered black teenager Stephen Lawrence.